Two striking things about the debate, though: 1) Zolicoffer was a "Know Nothing" (American Party) Congressman. His family had come over from Switzerland in the 18th century, but a lot of Know Nothings voters must have been scratching their head about a nativist party candidate with a name like "Felix Zolicoffer". 2) If I understood what little I did read, Zolicoffer was actually more hardline pro-slavery than Alexander Stephens and opposed to any congressional action limiting slavery. He even served in the Confederate Army and was killed in action. But as I said, I didn't have time to read the whole record.
Zollicoffer was the first Confederate general to die in combat in the civil war. He died at a little known battle in Kentucky known as Mill Springs or Logan’s Crossroads, one of the Union’s first victories which helped keep Kentucky from joining the Confederacy.
http://www.millsprings.net/index.php/2013-10-01-18-24-22/battle-of-mill-springs